The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently released $10 million in emergency relief funding for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to recover from Hurricane Helene.
Emergency relief funds support emergency repair work following natural disasters or catastrophic events.
Hurricane Helene damaged bridges, and damaged or washed out roads. One mile of Route 58 near Damascus was closed because the roadway no longer exists. A 30-mile detour is in place.
VDOT will use the funding to restore and reopen the one-mile section of Route 58 as well as other sections of the route that need repair.
“This funding represents the first step in our commitment to help Virginia restore roads, bridges, and critical transportation infrastructure that were damaged by Hurricane Helene,” Kristin White, acting FHWA administrator, said. “We stand with Virginians whose livelihoods and businesses have been impacted by the destruction of the storm, including the washout on Route 58. FHWA is working with our state partners on the ground to repair roads and do the work to reconnect Virginia.”
The FHWA’s Emergency Relief program provides funding to states, territories, tribes, and Federal Land Management Agencies.
The agency previously approved emergency funds for Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina following Hurricane Helene.